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Despite being a newcomer to Hollywood (its debut original film launched in 2019), Apple's substantial resources have enabled Apple TV+ to produce a mix of heartwarming independent films and critically acclaimed masterpieces. CODA made history by winning the Oscar for Best Picture a few years ago (the first streaming service film to achieve this), and this year, the platform secured 13 nominations, even though Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon didn't win any awards.
Considering the intricacies of modern film financing, it's easy to assume these movies were traditional theater releases rather than Apple originals. However, they are all exclusively produced for Apple TV+. While some are only accessible via the app, others receive limited or extensive theatrical releases as part of their distribution strategy, primarily to qualify for prestigious awards like the Oscars.
Check out these 15 outstanding films currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Despite not winning an Oscar (we need more Lily Gladstone in films, please), Martin Scorsese's newest work demonstrates that the legendary director remains at the top of his game. This tale of mounting fear and profound despair in the American West recounts the atrocities that unfolded after oil was discovered on Osage tribal lands in the 1920s. What begins as a promising opportunity turns sinister as white leaders orchestrate a series of murders to seize the wealth. While the film could have delved deeper into the Indigenous perspective, it still delivers a powerful and haunting narrative.
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
Joel Coen's first solo directorial effort is a daring and visually stunning interpretation of Shakespeare's Scottish play, marked by its simplicity and intensity. Coen's assured direction allows the timeless dialogue and the stellar performances of Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand to shine. Despite earning numerous nominations during the 2021/22 awards season, it won few accolades, yet it remains one of the finest adaptations of Macbeth since Kurosawa's Throne of Blood.
Come from Away (2021)
A cinematic adaptation of this musical, which recounts the events at a rural airport during 9/11, was in progress before the pandemic halted production. Instead, a special stage performance featuring the original cast was filmed in front of an audience of 9/11 survivors and frontline workers. While the unreleased version remains a mystery, this rendition is arguably superior. The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2017, is set in Gander, Newfoundland, following the 2001 attacks. Once a key refueling stop, Gander's massive airport saw little use until it became a refuge for diverted planes. The influx of stranded passengers temporarily swelled the town's population, and the community rallied to support their unexpected guests. Rooted in true events, the production balances humor with heartfelt sincerity, avoiding sentimentality.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
(2022)
Cooper Raiff's 2020 indie Shithouse, despite its off-putting title, garnered critical acclaim on a shoestring budget. His next film, Cha Cha Real Smooth, attracted more attention. It follows Andrew, a bat mitzvah party planner, as he develops feelings for Domino, a single mother played by Dakota Johnson. While occasionally saccharine, the film's nuanced script and well-drawn characters showcase Raiff's potential as a rising filmmaker.
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)
This documentary could have easily been a sentimental tribute to Michael J. Fox, the former Hollywood star courageously battling Parkinson's. While it touches on that theme, director Davis Guggenheim crafts a deeper narrative, exploring Fox's life through the lens of his relentless energy and current struggles with stillness. The film doesn't gloss over the challenges of living with Parkinson's or Fox's complex personality, offering a candid look at the intersection of his personal life and public persona as a Parkinson's advocate.
CODA (2021)
While it may not have been the most deserving Best Picture winner, CODA remains a heartwarming and endearing film. It follows Ruby (Emilia Jones), a talented young musician and the only hearing member of her deaf family, as she juggles her responsibilities to the family fishing business with her newfound love for singing and a budding romance. Though the film leans on a somewhat clichéd trope about deaf individuals and music, it also portrays its characters as multifaceted, capable leaders with rich personal lives. Emilia Jones delivers a standout performance, alongside Marlee Matlin and Oscar-winner Troy Kotsur as her parents.
Finch (2021)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Finch tells the story of a dying engineer (Tom Hanks) who creates a robot not for his own companionship, but to care for his beloved dog after he's gone. The plot is simple yet deeply relatable, and the film stands out as an unexpectedly heartwarming and family-friendly take on the end-of-the-world genre. Tom Hanks brings his signature charm to the role, and the emotional core of the story—ensuring his dog has a friend—will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings.
Napoleon (2023)
Positioned between 2021's acclaimed The Last Duel and the highly anticipated Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott's 2023 biopic about the French emperor showcases his unmatched talent for historical epics, a genre once beloved by Hollywood. Though somewhat uneven, the film benefits from Joaquin Phoenix's clever, subtly humorous performance and features grand, traditional battle scenes that harken back to classic period dramas. Scott wisely avoids glorifying Napoleon himself, instead focusing on the spectacle and thrills of meticulously crafted set pieces. The film revives the grandeur of historical battles in an era dominated by superheroes and sci-fi, and rumors of a four-hour director's cut suggest even more potential.
The Pigeon Tunnel (2023)
Legendary documentarian Errol Morris (Gates of Heaven, The Thin Blue Line, The Fog of War) turns his lens on David Cornwell, better known as John le Carré, the former spy and master of espionage fiction. The title references a poignant memory from le Carré's youth: visiting his father at a pigeon-shooting concession, where captive pigeons were funneled through a tunnel only to be shot at the moment of their perceived freedom. This metaphor of a false escape became a recurring theme in le Carré's life and work, which Morris explores with his signature depth and artistry.
Wolfwalkers (2020)
Robyn Goodfellowe, apprenticed to her father as a hunter, travels to Ireland to eliminate the last remaining wolves. Venturing out on her own, she befriends a spirited girl who seeks her help to find her missing mother. The girl belongs to a tribe rumored to possess the ability to transform into wolves, and Robyn's growing bond with her new allies strains her relationship with her father. This exquisitely hand-drawn animated film earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination and is part of a thematic trilogy by the same filmmakers, following The Secret of Kells (2009) and Song of the Sea (2014). While each film stands alone, fans of Wolfwalkers will likely cherish all three.
Hala (2019)
Apple's debut original narrative film, released in 2019, flew under the radar for many viewers, which is a shame. Written and directed by Minhal Baig, a Rogers Park, Chicago native, the film captures a strong sense of place, especially resonant for those familiar with the Chicago area. At its core, it’s a thoughtful and heartfelt coming-of-age tale. Geraldine Viswanathan stars as Hala Masood, a teenager from a conservative Muslim family who develops feelings for a non-Muslim classmate, sparking tension that unveils hidden family truths.
The Elephant Queen (2018)
Narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this nature documentary by directors Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble tracks Athena, a 50-year-old matriarch elephant, as she guides her family from their peaceful home to more dangerous lands during a devastating drought. Filmed over four years in the African savannah, the documentary highlights the elephants' intelligence, strong family bonds, and the difficult decisions forced upon them by their environment.
Swan Song (2021)
Writer/director Benjamin Cleary crafts a deeply moving existential quandary in this understated sci-fi drama featuring Mahershala Ali as Cameron Turner, a terminally ill husband and father. To shield his wife (Naomie Harris) and children from the anguish of his death, he contemplates a groundbreaking procedure offered by Dr. Scott (Glenn Close): replacing himself with a clone that carries all his memories. While he spends his final days in solitude, his family remains unaware of his condition. The film delves into profound themes of identity, purpose, and loss, embodying the best of science fiction without resembling an extended Black Mirror episode.
The Velveteen Rabbit (2023)
At just 40 minutes, this blend of live-action and animation is more of a short film than a feature, but its brevity and concise storytelling are its strengths. Seven-year-old William (Phoenix Laroche) struggles to adjust after moving to a new home. A Christmas gift of the titular rabbit sparks his imagination, and his affection brings the toy to life among the other playroom companions. When William falls ill, the Velveteen Rabbit faces a heartrending decision, and if you're familiar with the tale, this is where the tears begin to flow. The animated sequences, rendered in stunningly diverse styles, vividly capture the richness of William's imagination.
Sidney (2022)
Directed by Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Marshall), this documentary offers a straightforward yet vital tribute to Sidney Poitier, the iconic actor, director, and diplomat. As one of the most influential figures in 20th-century film and American culture, the film not only chronicles Poitier's remarkable life but also serves as his final onscreen appearance before his passing at 94.
